Stoke City 1-0 Watford: Andre Vidigal strikes winner as Potters beat Horns
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Andre Vidigal has now scored four goals in three home games for Stoke City
Summer signing Andre Vidigal was the star turn again as Stoke City beat Watford to maintain their winning home start to the season.
Just 11 months ago, in only his second home game in charge, Alex Neil's Potters lost 4-0 to the Hornets, Slaven Bilic's first game as Watford boss.
But Watford have since got rid of two more managers - and Stoke showed just much progress they have made under Neil, especially after an 11-man summer refit.
Portuguese winger Vidigal scored the only goal of the game eight minutes into the second half - his fourth in three games - when he latched onto Ki-Jana Hoever's deep right-wing cross.
Wesley failed to connect but fellow transfer window arrival Vidigal was coming in behind him, chested down, then swivelled to hit a fine right-foot half-volley into the top right corner.
Following successive clean sheets, it was the first league goal Watford have conceded this season as boss Val Ismael suffered his first league defeat - but it maintained Stoke's 100% home start.
In three league and cup games, they have now enjoyed three wins and six goals - four of them scored by Vidigal, who celebrated his 25th birthday in midweek.
Vidigal twice went close in quick succession before the break before the 53rd minute moment of brilliance which won the game.
Watford rallied in their pursuit of a leveller but their best opportunity fell to 19-year-old Colombia international Yaser Asprilla before Ken Sema's long-range effort whistled wide
But it was Stoke who came closest when Ryan Mmaee dragged his strike wide late on.
Who's next?
Stoke's next test is a trip to The Den to meet former Potters boss Gary Rowett's Millwall next Saturday.
Watford host Blackburn Rovers in the noon kick-off at Vicarage Road the following day.
Stoke City boss Alex Neil told BBC Radio Stoke:
"Watford are a very good team and we knew it would be as tough a game as this.
"We shuffled things round a bit. It wasn't easy but we still deserved to win.
"I always thought Andre Vidigal would get a chance. He had two or three - and the one he took won us the game.
"It was such a clean connection. It's not the first time he's done it - and it won't be the last."
Watford boss Val Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We were missing our identity in the first half. We improved a lot in the second half and had chances.
"But Stoke wanted it more than us in some periods of the game.
"We conceded the goals in our best period but that is the Championship for you. You have to be ruthless.
"It is only matchday number three. We have a lot of games in front of us."